Just a day later, the company has, in fact, launched the free application for its recently renamed mobile operating system.

Dubbed Apple Store, the iPhone/iPad app allows customers to "buy Apple products and accessories, read customer reviews, find an Apple Retail Store, stay up to date with in-store events, and make Personal Shopping, Genius Bar, or One to One appointments."

There is a reason why Apple waited until Tuesday to launch the app--it's the same day that it will start allowing customers to preorder the iPhone 4. Its new Apple Store app allows people to reserve the iPhone 4 from the software. Once the iPhone is ordered from the app, it will ship to customers on June 24 for free. It will also be "ready to use," Apple claims.

Overall, the app seems well-designed. A navigation bar at the bottom of the program allows customers to view available products, including iPhones, iPads, Macs, and iPods. It also features a Stores tab, which provides access to some in-store options. Since products can be purchased from the app, people can also view and modify their shopping cart.

About the author

Don Reisinger is a technology columnist who has covered everything from HDTVs to computers to Flowbee Haircut Systems. Besides his work with CNET, Don's work has been featured in a variety of other publications including PC World and a host of Ziff-Davis publications.
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